What a difference tempo and volume can make! My Morning Jacket’s “Anytime,” from their critically acclaimed album, Z, is an ultra-caffeinated, bouncy tune that seems to be about not much of anything. When fellow southerners Manchester Orchestra get a hold of it, though, the aura of the song changes. Although Andy Hull’s voice is extremely reminiscent of MMJ’s Jim James, he softly coos, rather than shouts, the words. The distorted guitar becomes a strummed acoustic, and the pace is slowed to lullaby speed.

Without even having to change keys, Manchester Orchestra turns a shout-along song into a tale of tragedy. Although in James’ version the end of a relationship seems to be celebrated as a learning experience, Manchester Orchestra’s version is much weightier. “I hope I didn’t wait too long,” isn’t just idle questioning: Hull sounds legitimately torn up about the way things went down. Spin this one when you are feeling a little more contemplative. (via Alt Press)